THE DEATH WIZARD CHRONICLES

A powerful wizard pits himself against a diabolical and formidable sorcerer in Melvin’s dark fantasy novel and series launch.

Millennium-old Death-Knower wizard Torg leads his group of elite warriors into Dibbu-Loka: Soldiers have overrun this holy city at the behest of Invictus, a sorcerer who seems intent on spreading darkness across the planet of Triken. To protect the Noble Ones of Dibbu-Loka, Torg willingly becomes a prisoner of Invictus’ towering snow-giant minion, Mala. Dropped into a narrow, torturous pit, the Death-Knower wizard can garner power via a meditative “temporary suicide,” but doing this too often (the last time was mere months ago) is dangerous. All the while, warrior Sōbhana chases down Torg, whom she’s in love with, leading to a face-off with “great demon” Vedana, Invictus’ grandmother. The narrative then shifts to follow Laylah, whose dreadful older brother (Invictus) has kept her in captivity for decades. If she hopes to save herself from a mysterious illness, she’ll have to escape and track down a healer—a Death-Knower wizard up north. Melvin’s deliberately paced tale painstakingly builds its magical world. Torg and Laylah’s tension-riddled imprisonments, which take up hefty portions of the novel, stem from their dense backstories. Fantastic creatures abound, from various dragons (like man-sized dracools, or “baby dragons”) to a Kojin, an ogress with a bloated head and six arms. While only a few of the characters get the spotlight, there are standouts among the villains. Invictus may be the eponymous wizard’s “sworn enemy,” but he isn’t nearly as menacing as the gleefully manipulative Vedana, or Mala, whose snake-like tongue and venom-dripping fangs make him a reliable fright. Although relatively little action unfolds (two more Volumes follow), there are some surprises for the cast, including reunions, alliances formed, and unexpected deaths.

This measured story ushers in a faraway world of strife and remarkable beings.